Managing a control variable for a printing system by means of a database

ABSTRACT

In a control system or method for input or output of operating information and control data of a printing or copying system, the operating information is input or output with aid of at least one operating unit. The printing or copying system is controlled via a first control unit and at least one second control unit. Control data are transferred between the control units via a data line with aid of a data transfer protocol. A server which the operating unit accesses as a client is provided. At least one part of the transferred control data is input or output with aid of the operating unit of the printing or copying system.

BACKGROUND

The preferred embodiment concerns a control system for anelectrophotographic printing or copying system. The control systemcontains an operating unit for input and/or output of operatinginformation of the printing or copying system.

Known electrophotographic printers or copiers contain an operating unitvia which the execution of print jobs, the operating mode of the printeras well as parameters and setting values of the printer can be shown toan operating personnel with the aid of a graphical user interface,whereby the operating personnel implements operator control actions viainputs with the aid of the graphical user interface. The setting valuesin particular concern parameters of the printer or copier that anoperating personnel must set to implement different print jobs. Theseparameters are, for example, parameters of carrier material to beprinted and parameters of toner material used to generate print images.The operator control actions to be executed by an operating personnelalso concern settings to produce the operational readiness and theestablishment of the sequence as well as the start of print jobs thatshould be executed by the printer or copier.

Access to internal control variables of the printer or copier are notpossible with the aid of the operating unit. For service and maintenancetasks as well as for diagnostic functions, given the output of falseoperating information the accesses to internal control variables of theprinter or copier are, however, necessary (in particular fortroubleshooting) in order to add the values of the internal controlvariables that serve as output values for generation of the outputoperating information. These values of the internal control variablesare also designated as raw data from which display data are thengenerated. Display data are then generated with the help of the system.The operating information are then output with the aid of the displaydata.

A method and a system for printing of documents based on JAVA commandsare known from the document WO 97/43720. Setting values forconfiguration of the printer can be set with the aid of user interfaces,whereby the printer can also be connected with the computer over anetwork, preferably over the Internet.

A computer system is known from the document EP 0 926 593 A12 in whichthe data exchange between a personal computer and a printer is inparticular implemented via the use of elements present in theprogramming language JAVA.

An activation arrangement to control a plurality of printers operatingin what is known as tandem operation is known from the document EP 0 239845. For this, a belt-shaped recording medium is provided on the frontside with one print image by the first printer and on the back side withone print image by the second printer.

From the document DE 198 36 745 A1 it is known that operatinginformation of the printing or copying system can be input and/or outputwith the aid of an operating unit. At least two control units areconnected with a data line for control of at least one part of theelectrophotographic printing or copying system. Control data can betransferred between the control units with the aid of the data line.

SUMMARY

It is an object to specify a control system with an operating unit foran electrophotographic printing or copying system in which the access tocontrol variables is also possible in a simple manner.

In a control system or method for input or output of operatinginformation and control data of a printing or copying system, theoperating information is input or output with aid of at least oneoperating unit. The printing or copying system is controlled via a firstcontrol unit and at least one second control unit. Control data aretransferred between the control units via a data line with aid of a datatransfer protocol. A server which the operating unit accesses as aclient is provided. At least one part of the transferred control data isinput or output with aid of the operating unit of the printing orcopying system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graphical user interface for input and output of controlvariables of a printing system according to a first exemplary embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the graphical user interface according to FIG. 1, showing auser interface for input of print parameters;

FIG. 3 shows the graphical user interface according to FIGS. 1 and 2with a user interface to set an offset of the print images, whereby thesettings of the offset of a first printer are coupled with the settingsof the offset of a second printer;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram that shows the access and the authenticationof operating units connected with the printer according to a secondexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an excerpt of the block diagram according to FIG. 4, in whichis shown the basic principle of a secured access to the data containedin the printer;

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram with two printers according to a thirdexemplary embodiment of the invention, which two printers respectivelycontain an operating unit, whereby both printers can be operated via theoperating unit;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram with two printers, similar to the blockdiagram according to FIG. 6, according to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram with control units of two similar printers anda common server for activation of a common operating unit; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram with control units and display units of aprinting system for communication with operating units.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodimentsillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations andfurther modifications in the illustrated device, and/or method, and suchfurther applications of the principles of the invention as illustratedtherein being contemplated as would normally occur now or in the futureto one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Via a control system with the features of the preferred embodiment, itis achieved that at least one part of the transferable control data isinput and/or output in addition to the operating information. Thesecontrol data are preferably used for error diagnosis and for functionmonitoring of the printing or copying system. A separate service andmaintenance computer is thus not absolutely necessary for display andinput of control data. However, if a service and maintenance computer isconnected with the electrophotographic printing or copying system,operating information of the printing or copying system can be inputand/or output by the service and maintenance computer in addition to thecontrol data, since the graphical user interface for operation of theprinting or copying system is preferably also output with the aid of theservice and maintenance computer.

A second aspect of the preferred embodiment concerns a method for inputand/or output of operating information and control data of anelectrophotographic printing or copying system with the aid of anoperating unit. Operating information of the printing or copying systemare input and/or output with the aid of at least one operating unit. Theelectrophotographic printing or copying system is controlled by a firstcontrol unit and at least one second control unit. The control data aretransferred between the control units via a data line. At least one partof the transferred control data is input and/or output on an operatingunit of the printing or copying system.

Via this method of the preferred embodiment it is achieved that aseparate service and maintenance computer is not absolutely necessaryfor maintenance and service tasks and for error diagnosis. Furthermore,via this method it is achieved that a maintenance computer connectedwith the printing or copying system can display both the control dataand the operating information. Not only control data but rather alsooperating information can in particular be displayed by the service andmaintenance computer when a service and maintenance computer is arrangedin a service control center and is connected with the printing orcopying system via a remote data transfer connection.

A third aspect of the of the preferred embodiment concerns a system foradministration and transfer of control data of an electrophotographicprinting or copying system. Information about the control data arestored in a central database of the printing or copying system. At leastone first control unit of the printing or copying system has access tothe control data with the aid of this information.

Via this system of the preferred embodiment it is achieved that anaccess to the control data is possible in a simple manner. The databasecontains at least information via which an access to the control data isenabled. A simple administration of the control data is thereby possibleand the access to the control data is significantly simplified.

A fourth aspect of the of the preferred embodiment concerns a method fortransfer of control data of an electrophotographic printing or copyingsystem. In this method information of the control data are stored in acentral database of the computer program system. A first control unit ofthe printing or copying system accesses the control data with the aid ofthis information.

Via this method of the preferred embodiment it is achieved that a verysimple and concise administration of the control data occurs with theaid of the database. A simple access to these control data is thuspossible with the aid of the information stored in the database.

A fifth aspect of the of the preferred embodiment concerns aelectrophotographic printing or copying system with at least twoprinting units. The first printing unit comprises a first operating unitand a first control unit. The second printing unit comprises a secondoperating unit and a second control unit. Data that contain operatinginformation data and/or control data regarding input and/or output viathe operating unit can be transferred between the first control unit andthe second control unit. The first control unit prepares data for thefirst operating unit and data for the second operating unit. It isthereby achieved that data of the second printing unit can be displayedwith the aid of the first operating unit and data of the first printingunit can be displayed with the aid of the second operating unit. Anoperating of the first and the second printing units with the aid of thefirst and/or second operating unit can thus occur very simply, wherebyan operation of both printing units with the aid of one operating unitis possible.

A sixth aspect of the preferred embodiment concerns a method regardinginput and/or output of operating information of an electrophotographicprinting or copying system with at least two printing units. The firstprinting unit is operated with the aid of the first operating unit andis controlled with the aid of a first control unit. The second printingunit is operated with the aid of a second operating unit and iscontrolled with the aid of a second control unit. Data that containoperating information and/or control data that are input and/or outputby the operating units are transferred between the control units.

Data that are generated by the first control unit are provided for thefirst operating unit and the second operating unit.

Via this method of the preferred embodiment it is achieved thatoperating information and/or control data of the first and the secondcontrol unit can be input and/or output in a simple manner both by thefirst operating unit and by the second operating unit, whereby theoperating of both printing units is simplified.

A seventh aspect of the preferred embodiment concerns anelectrophotographic printing or copying system with at least twoprinting units. This printing or copying system contains an operatingunit regarding input and/or output of parameters of the printing orcopying system. Given an input of a value of a first parameter of afirst printing unit, the value of the same parameter of the secondprinting unit is automatically changed dependent on the altered value.It is thereby achieved that a parameter to be changed must only bechanged once in order to change the respective parameter of bothprinting units.

An eighth aspect of the preferred embodiment concerns a method forcontrol of an electrophotographic printing or copying system with twoprinting units. Parameters of the printing or copying system are inputand/or output with the aid of an operating unit. Given an input of avalue of a first parameter of a first printing unit, the value of anidentical parameter of the second printing unit is automatically changeddependent on the value of the first parameter.

Via this method of the preferred embodiment it is achieved that theoperating inputs in the changing of parameters are simplified and errorsare prevented in a simple manner.

A graphical user interface for operation of an electrophotographicprinting system with a section with a toolbar 12 is shown in FIG. 1,which toolbar 12 contains graphical function keys, what are known asbuttons. The toolbar 12 furthermore contains output fields, inparticular for display of the operating state of the printing system anda set user. The graphical user interface 10 contains a menu in a secondsection 14. The graphical user interface 10 contains a third section 16in which is displayed a user interface that has been selected from aplurality of possible user interfaces with the aid of the menu entriescontained in the menu 14. The user interface shown in the section 16 inFIG. 1 has been selected via selection of the menu entry 18 “printerstate” and contains the names of variables of the printing system in thecolumn “Key” and, in the column “Value”, the current value of therespective variable designation arranged in the same row of the column“Key”. These variables of the printing system are internal controlvariables of the printing system from which display values are generatedas operating information and output with the aid of the user interface.

The access to these variables is not allowed to each user, in order toprevent a damaging of the printing system as a result of erroneoussettings as well as a confusion of the user. The display of thesevariables is only reserved for developers and service technicians. Inaddition to these control variables, registers of individual controlunits of the printing system can also be read out with the aid ofinformation that is stored in a database, in particular in a managementinformation base of the printing system. Such registers are storageregions of the control units in which are processed data, in particularstored or buffered. The control variables and register data are alsogenerally designated as control data in the following.

Furthermore, the developer and service technician can also implementoperator control actions with the aid of the graphical user interface10, for example with the aid of the graphical function keys of thetoolbar 12, and call up user interfaces that are also available to otheroperating personnel. Both maintenance and service tasks and operatorcontrol actions can be thus be executed essentially in parallel with theaid of the graphical user interface 10.

The setting values of the associated control variables can be changedvia input of other values in the column “Value” in the section 16 of thegraphical user interface 10. The control variables contained in thecolumn “Key” in particular concern settings for generation andarrangement as well as for evaluation of what are known as positionmarkers. The position markers primarily serve to correctly associate(i.e. to position) a print image that is generated on a carrier materialby a second printer with a first print image that has already beengenerated on the carrier material by a first printing unit.

The graphical user interface 10 according to FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2.Identical elements have the same reference characters. The menu entry 19“PNV markers” has been activated in the menu 14, whereby a userinterface for adjustment of the position of the PNV marker (which servesas a position marker) to be set or adapted by an operating personnel insection 16. The user interface contains graphical sliders 20, 22 foradjustment of a vertical and a horizontal offset of the PNV marker,whereby the vertical offset can also be input in the input and outputfield 30 and the horizontal can also be input in the input and outputfield 32.

The user interface furthermore contains graphical sliders 24, 26, 28 toestablish the geometry of the PNV marker, whereby an upper protectionregion in which no position marker is generated is set with the aid ofthe slider 24. The length of the marker to be generated is set with theaid of the slider 26 and the width of the PNV marker to be generated isset with the aid of slider 28. A value that can be set with the aid ofthe slider 24 can alternatively also be input in the input field 34; avalue that can be set with the aid of the slider 26 can alternativelyalso be input in the input and output field 36; and a value that can beset with the aid of the slider 28 can alternatively also be input in theinput and output field 38. Furthermore, the section 16 with the userinterface for the PNV marker contains a graphical representation 40 inwhich the position of the PNV marker is shown on the carrier materialaccording to the settings of the sliders 20 through 28.

The linear dimensions processed by the control units as internal controlvariables are specified in the measuring unit millipoint. One millipointcorresponds to 0.0547 μm or, respectively, 1/72000 of an inch. Thelocation of the position marker, the dimensions of the position marker,the paper format and further linear dimensions are stored in the printeras values converted into millipoints. These values specified inmillipoints thus serve as control data.

Furthermore, a country recognition is preset in a storage region of theoperating unit of the printer, whereby the country recognition is, forexample, encrypted as a hexadecimal value. Alternatively, thehexadecimal value of the country recognition is stored in a storageregion of the further control unit of the printer. A value 17hex storedthere is the country recognition for Germany and is simultaneouslyassociated with the measurement unit recognition inch. The value 18hexis the country recognition DE and is simultaneously associated with themeasuring unit mm. The value 1Fhex is the country recognition US and isassociated with the measuring unit inch. The length values stored inmillipoints are converted for display with the aid of the graphical userinterface based on the preset country recognition or calculated fordisplay of the linear dimensions with the measuring unit connected withthe country recognition. The linear dimensions stored in millipoint arethus converted and output with the present country recognition fordisplay as operating information. If a country specification is output,for example, in inches, the corresponding sum of the linear dimension isconverted from millipoints into inches and is output, dependent on thepreset language, in a field after number value, for example “Zoll” in DEand “inch” in the US.

A plurality of items of further operating information that are outputwith the aid of the graphical user interface are formed with the aid ofconnections of a plurality of control variables and/or a plurality ofcontrol and operating states. Thus, for example, at least one item ofcontrol information of each control unit of the printer that signals theoperational readiness of the respective control unit is necessary for aprint readiness signal. The signals of the control units are preferablylinked with one another with a UND link, whereby the link result forreadiness display is output for the printer and as operating informationwith the aid of the graphical user interface. The individual controldata are transferred on a communication level, for example with the aidof SNMP commands. The control data transferred with the aid of SNMPcommands are preferably output with the aid of user interfaces providedfor this of the operating unit of the printer or copier. Preferably onlyservice and maintenance technicians have access to the user interfacesvia which the control data can be input and output in order to prevent aconfusion of the typical operating personnel and faulty operations.Control data are also designated as machine parameters.

The graphical user interface 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown inFIG. 3. In the menu 14, the menu entry 41 “Offset” has been selected,whereby in the section 16 of the graphical user interface 10 a userinterface is shown for adjustment of the offset of the print images thatare generated on the back side of the carrier material. The print imageof the side 1 (front side) is thereby generated with the aid of a firstprinter and the print image of the side 2 (back side) is therebygenerated with a second printer. The carrier material is a continuouscarrier material that is supplied to the second printer after it isoutput from the first printer.

The positioning of the print images thereby occurs dependent on theposition marker generated with the aid of the first printer. Ahorizontal offset of the print image is established on the side 1 underreference to the position marker with the aid of the graphical slider11. The horizontal position of the print image on the side 2 isestablished in reference to the position marker with the aid of thegraphical slider 44. The vertical offset of the print image of the side1 is established in reference to the position marker with the aid of thegraphical slider 36 and the vertical offset of the print image of theside 2 is established in reference to the position marker with the aidof the slider 48.

If, for example, a horizontal offset should be generated, the printimages of the side 1 and the side 2 must be shifted, in that the settingcontrollers 42 and 44 are respectively shifted. It is relativelycomplicated to shift the slider 42 in the same manner as the slider 44.With the aid of a graphical function key 50, the slider 42 can becoupled with the slider 44 such that, upon activation of this graphicalfunction key 50, given a change of the value set at the slider 42 thesetting value of the slider 44 is changed by the same amount. It isthereby achieved that the value of the slider 44 is changed dependent onthe value of the slider 42. When the graphical function key 50 isactivated, given a change of the setting value of the slider 44 thesetting value of the slider 42 is automatically changed by the sameamount. Given a deactivated function key 50, the setting values of thesliders 42 and 44 can furthermore be set independent of one another.

The sliders 46 and 48 can be coupled in the same manner as the sliders42 and 44 with the aid of the function key 51. The necessary operatorcontrol actions by an operating personnel to set up both printers forpreparation of print jobs are thereby significantly reduced and errorsare prevented.

A block diagram for access of operating units 70, 84, 86 to data of theprinting system with the aid of network protocols and a remote methodinvocation communication is shown in FIG. 4. Shown in FIG. 4 are onlycomponents (i.e. structural groups and functional units) of the printer52 that are necessary for activation of operating unit 70, 84, 86 andfor an external access of the operating units 70, 84, 86 to the internaldata of the printer 52. The operating units 70, 84, 86 are alsodesignated in the following as control panels 70, 84, 86.

The printer 52 contains what is known as a web server 54 that has accessto a storage region 56 in which are stored data for display of what isknown as a web page, whereby this web page serves as a graphical userinterface for the printer 52 and is output on a display unit of anoperating unit 70, 84, 86 with the aid of a display program. The displayprogram is executed by a data processing system of the operating unit,whereby the data for display of the web page have been generated withthe aid of a Hypertext Markup Language and/or in the programminglanguage Java.

The printer 52 furthermore contains a control panel server 58 with whosehelp what is known as an RMI communication occurs with an operating unit70, 84, 86. The control panel server 58 has access to storage regions 60and 62, whereby printer data and settings for generated of a graphicaluser interface, what are known as user data, are stored in the storageregion 60. Furthermore, data for output of operating information andprinter parameters are contained in the storage region 60 and data forauthentication of the respective user and/or the operating unit arecontained in the storage region 62. The control panel server 58 isconnected with an internal network, for example with a local areanetwork (LAN) that is operated with the aid of a Simple NetworkManagement Protocol. With the help of such a Simple Network ManagementProtocol, it is also possible to simply access the internal printernetwork via an external network 64 that is connected with the printer52. A simple access to internal structural groups and program modules ofthe printer 52 that can be reached with the aid of the internal network(LAN) is thereby possible. What is known as an SNMP agent 66 is providedto control the accesses to the internal components of the printer 52.The SNMP agent 66 is connected with a system parameter manager (SPM) viathe internal network.

The system parameter manager 69 administers all printer parameters andcontrol variables of a printing system. For example, the printer systemcontains two printers that print the same carrier material; thus asystem parameter manager (68) that administers at least theinterdependent parameters of both printers is provided for these twoprinters. The system parameter manager 68 preferably administers allparameters and setting values of the two printers. Dependent settingvalues and parameters of the printing system are coupled by the systemparameter manager 68 such that a simple operation of the printing systemis possible. The system parameter manager 68 then implements analignment of the printing setting of the first printer and the secondprinter.

If, for example, the first printer generates on the carrier material aprint image with what is known as a micro-toner that (due to itselectromagnetic properties) is machine-readable, the fixing temperatureof the second printer for fixing of the print image that is generated onthe same carrier material with the help of the second printer must beadapted in order to prevent a damaging of the micro-toner of the firstprint image. The system parameter manager 68 of the first printer thenestablishes the values of the control variables of the second printerand transfers these to the second printer. The first printer and thesecond printer preferably contain what is known as a managementinformation base in which are stored all control variables of therespective printer or of the entire printing system. The systemparameter manager 68 of the first printer then writes the new valuesinto this management information base of the second printer.Furthermore, from operating inputs and measurement values the systemparameter manager 68 determines setting values for the first printer andwrites these into the management information base of the first printer.

The management information base is contained in the system parametermanager 68 in the printer 52 according to FIG. 4. The SNMP agent 66controls the accesses to the system parameter manager 68. If anunauthorized control panel 70 is connected with the printer 52 via thenetwork 64, the control panel 70 receives only access to approved data(what are known as public data) and to further protected data via theSNMP agent 66, whereby the control panel 70 can access these protecteddata only for reading and not for writing. The SNMP agent 66 allows thecontrol panel 70 neither read nor write accesses to internal controlvariables of function groups 72 through 80 of the printer 52 and to datathat are stored in the storage region 82. The internal control variablesof the function groups 72 through 80 and the data in the storage region82 are also designated as private data.

The data transfer between the function groups 72 through 80 and thesystem parameter manager 78 occurs based on the Simple NetworkManagement Protocol (SNMP) with the aid of what is known as a pipe. Thepipe is a connection-oriented communication channel between twoprocesses that is also designated as a stream. Pipes generally connectamong one another independent processes that are not directly related toone another. In particular the function groups 72 through 80, the SNMPagent 66 and the system parameter manager 68 are program modules thatare executed with the aid of a data processing system of the printer 52,for example with the aid of a personal computer.

A second control panel 84 is likewise connected with the printer 52 overthe network 64. The control panel 84 contains a data processing systemthat, in addition to an operating system, runs a display program (whatis known as a browser program module). In particular graphical userinterfaces can be generated with the aid of a hypertext or with the aidof program code with such a browser program module. The control panel 84receives these hypertexts over the network from the web server 54, whichtransfers at least one part of the hypertexts that are stored in thestorage region 56 to the control panel 84. The graphical user interfaceso generated in particular contains input and output fields andgraphical function keys whose display values or, respectively, whoseswitch states are displayed on the control panel 84 with the aid of datathat are transferred by the control panel with the aid of an RMIcommunication. RMI (Remote Method Invocation) is the designation for acommunication technique between objects defined in the programminglanguage “Java”, whereby what is known as a Remote Procedure Call orwhat is known as the Common Object Request Broker Architecture is usedas a transport mechanism for RMI.

The graphical elements of the graphical user interface that are thendisplayed with the aid of the control panel 84 are thus loaded by theweb server 54, whereby the data displayed and input via the graphicaluser interface are transferred from and to the control panel server 58with the aid of RMI. The control panel server 58 is also designated asan RMI server. The control panel 84 is a client both for the controlpanel server 58 and for the web server 54. The accesses to the internalcontrol variables by the control panel 84 occur via the control panelserver 58. The control panel server 58 is connected with the SNMP agent66. As already explained further above, the control panel server 58implements an authentication with the aid of authentication data 62.After this authentication, via which it is checked whether the controlpanel 84 or the control panel server 58 has rights for access to theinternal control variables and parameters, the control panel server 58obtains unlimited access to the system parameter manager 68 through theSNMP agent 66. The control panel server 58 thus has access to the publicdata, to the protected data and to the private data.

The control panel 84 is directly arranged in the housing of the printer52. Further similar control panels can also be arranged remote from theprinter 52 and also be provided for simultaneous operation of aplurality of printers similar to the printer 52. It is also possible toarrange a further control panel (similar to the control panel 84) in aservice control center of the printer manufacturer. If the network 64is, for example, connected with a further network, in particular theWorld Wide Web of the Internet, the further control panel can also bespatially arranged very far removed from the printer 52. The furthercontrol panel must only be connected with this World Wide Web directlyor via a further network. It is thereby possible in a very simple mannerfor service technicians to determine error states and error causes withthe aid of the available system parameters without a service technicianhaving to be on site at the printer 52. Transit times of the servicetechnician can thus be saved and downtimes of the printer 52 can beshortened. Furthermore, a control panel 86 is provided that is containedin a printer application. This control panel 86 is, like the controlpanel 70, connected with the SNMP agent 66 via the network 64, wherebythe data transfer between the print server 86 and the SNMP agent 66occurs with the aid of a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

Via the arrangement of an activation, i.e. a connection, of a controlpanel 84 shown in FIG. 4, it is possible in a very simple manner, withthe aid of a personal computer or another data processing system, toprovide a control panel 84 for a printing system without a specialconfiguration or installation being necessary. The personal computermust only contain an arbitrary operating system and a browser programmodule for display of hypertexts, whereby the browser program modulemust support what is known as the Java applet and thereby thecommunication with the aid of RMI. However, nearly all availablepersonal computers presently fulfill these requirements. Thus no specialsoftware is necessary for operation of the control panel with the aid ofthe data processing system with whose help the control panel 84 isrealized. All data necessary for generation of the graphical userinterface are provided by the web server 54 and by the control panelserver 58. Furthermore, the control panel 84 only has to be connectedwith a network 64 via which data can be transmitted to and from webserver 54 and to and from control panel server 58. As already mentioned,the control panel 84 can also be connected to a different network thanthe printer 52 when both different networks are, if applicable,connected with one another over a further network.

In other exemplary embodiments, the control panel server 58 alsocontains the hypertext and further data for generation of the graphicaluser interface on the control panel 84. A separate web server 54 than iscontained in the printer 52 is then not necessary in these exemplaryembodiments.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the management information base iscontained in the storage 60. The management information base containsdata that are arranged in the same structure as that in which thecontrol units and function units contained in the printer 52 areorganized. Arrangement of the control variables and parameters is thushierarchically structured just like the control and function units ofthe printer 52. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, suchcontrol and function units are represented as function groups 72 through80, system parameter manager 68, SNMP agent 66, control panel server 58and web server 54. The storage region 82 in which paper parameters arestored is hierarchically subordinate to the function group 72, wherebythe parameters stored in the storage region 82 are subordinate to thefunction group 72. Thus stored in the storage region 60 in themanagement information base are the hierarchical structure and names ofthe variables as clear text designations that are stored in the storageregion 82. With the help of the clear text designations of the variablesstored in the storage region 82 in the management information base,these can be output on the control panel 84 in a form concise andintelligible (in which the clear text designation and the value of thevariables are displayed) to the observer, for example for a servicetechnician.

The print server 86 access the SNMP agent 66 with the aid of aprinter-specific interface, whereby the print server 86 can also accesswhat is known as the private data with the aid of an authentication. Thedata transfer between control panel 70 and SNMP agent 66 occurs with theaid of SNMP, however this control panel 70 does not support theprinter-specific SNMP interface via the control panel server 58. Thecontrol panel 70 thereby has no access to the private data.

With the aid of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, it is possible that thecontrol panel server 58 has access to all function groups 72 through 80and storage regions 60, 62 of the printer 52 and the access rights ofunauthorized control panels 70 are limited. The print server 86 isauthorized and thus has access to the management information base of theprinter 52, to the public data and protected data. As an unauthorizedcontrol panel, the control panel 70 only has access to the managementinformation base of the printer 52, whereby the accesses are in thegeneral read and write accesses.

A section of the block diagram according to FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 5with the control panel 84, the network 64, the control panel server 58,the data storage 62, the SNMP agent 6 and the system parameter manager68. Given each read and write access of a control panel 70, 84, 86, thesystem parameter manager 68 checks whether the query comes from anauthenticated unit, for example from an authenticated control panel 84,86, the control panel server 58 or a function group 72. Respectively atleast one network address (for example an IP address) is associated witheach function group 72 through 80, the servers 54, 58, the SNMP agent 66and the control panels 70, 84, 86. With the help of these IP addressesand further specifications, such as what is known as the port of theSNMP agent to which the read or write access is directed, the systemparameter manager 68 analyzes via which control panel 84, 86, 70 or viawhich control panel server 58 the respective read and/or write accessoccurs, whereby depending on a preset the system parameter manager 68limits the access rights of the respective control panel 70, 84, 86and/or of the control panel server 58.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the control panel server 58 and thesystem parameter manager 68 is respectively realized via a programmodule that is executed on the same data processing system that containsan operating system, for example MS Windows NT. Due to the execution onthe same data processing system, an encryption of the data transferredbetween the control panel server 58 and the system parameter manager 68is not necessary. With the help of the IP address of the control panelserver 58, the system parameter manager 68 determines that the controlpanel server 58 is connected with the system parameter manager 68 over alocal (internal) network of the printer 52. Given an execution of theprogram modules of the control panel server 58 and of the systemparameter manager 68 on the same data processing system, the controlpanel server 58 also has a different IP address than the systemparameter manager 68, whereby the IP addresses differ such that they arearranged in the same network.

Since the system parameter manager 68 recognizes the affiliation of thecontrol panel server 58 to the same network due to what is known as thelocal IP address of the control panel server 58, a furtherauthentication of the control panel server 58 is not necessary and thesystem parameter manager 68 forwards the write and/or read accesses tothe respective function group 72 through 80. Furthermore, a limitationof the accesses can occur via a user setting at the control panel 70,84, 86. Via this user setting, an operating personnel can be refused theread and/or write access to a parameter or to whole user interfaces,even when the respective control panel 70, 84, 86 has general accessesto these parameters or this control panel. For example, the IP addressesof the control panel 84 and of the control panel server 58 that shouldreceive access to the protected data of the printer 52 are stored in thestorage region 62. The storage of these network addresses preferablyensues with the help of encrypted data.

A block diagram of a printing system 88 with a first printer 90 and asecond printer 92 is shown in FIG. 6. The first printer 90 contains afirst operating unit 94 and a first control unit 96. The second printer92 contains a second operating unit 96 and a second control unit 100.The first control unit 96 and the second control unit 100 are connectedwith one another over a data line 102, whereby the first control unit 96serves as a master controller M and the second control unit 100 servesas a slave controller S. Further control units and/or function units 104through 112 are connected with the control unit 96 via an internalnetwork of the first printer 90. Values of parameters and controlvariables of the first printer 90 are stored in the storage region ofthe control unit 96 and the control units or function units 104 through112.

Control units and/or function units 114 through 122 are connected withthe control unit 100 via a local network of the second printer 92. Justas with the first printer 90, the control units 100 as well as thecontrol units or function units 114 through 112 contain controlvariables and parameters of the printer that are stored in storageregions of the respective control unit 114 through 122. The printers 90and 92 are essentially identical in construction. The printer 90 ispreferably operated together with the printer 92 as what is known as atwin system 88, in which a first printer 90 generates a first printimage on a carrier material, preferably a continuous carrier material,and the second printer 92 generates a second print image on the samecarrier material. With such a twin system 88, the carrier material isthen printed on the front side with the aid of the first printer 90 andprinted on the back side with the aid of the second printer 92. However,a carrier material can also be printed two-color with the aid of such atwin system 88, whereby the first printer 90 generates a print image ina first ink color and the second printer 92 generates a print image in asecond ink color, whereby the second print image is essentially printedover the first print image.

The control unit 96 (serving as a master controller) of the firstprinter 90 generates data for control of the first operating unit 94 andthe second operating unit 98 or for generation of a graphical userinterface. The control unit 96 thus transfers at least display data tothe operating unit 94 and to the operating unit 98 and evaluatesoperating inputs of the operating unit 94 and of the operating unit 98.Given an input with the aid of an operating unit 94, 98, it is thendetermined which printer 90, 92 this operating input concerns. Thecontrol unit 96 evaluates the operating unit and, dependent on theoperating input, transfers data to the control units 100, 104 through112, whereby (if applicable) the control unit 100 forwards the data tothe control units 114 through 112. If an operating input concerns onlythe printer 90, the corresponding parameter or the corresponding controlvariable is changed in the printer 90. Data are thereby not transferredover the data line 102 to the control unit 100. However, if theoperating input concerns both printers 90, 92 or only the printer 92,corresponding data are transferred from the control unit 96 of theprinter 90 to the control unit 100 of the printer 92 over the data line102.

A simple operation of a printing system 88 with two printers 90, 92 ispossible with the aid of the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 for control oftwo operating units 90, 98. Both settings for the first and/or secondprinter 90, 92 can thereby be implemented from each of the operatingunits 94 and 96. Further operating units via which both the printer 90and the printer 92 can be very simply operated can be connected to thecontrol unit 96. As already described in connection with the exemplaryembodiments previously explained, diverse maintenance jobs and diagnosisfunctions can also be implemented with the aid of the operating units 94and 98 as well as with the aid of further operating units that can beconnected to the control unit 96.

A block diagram of the printer system 88 is shown in FIG. 7 that issimilar to the block diagram according to FIG. 6. In contrast to theblock diagram according to FIG. 6, the data are transferred both betweenthe control unit 96 and the control unit 100 and the display data aretransferred between the printer 90 and the printer 92 via a data line124. The data line 124 is thereby preferably a local area network (LAN).The data transferred to the control unit 100 to generate a graphicaluser interface for the operating unit 98 are transferred by the controlunit 100 to the operating unit 98. Data with information that have beeninput with the aid of the operating unit 98 are transferred by theoperating unit 98 to the control unit 96 via the control unit 100. Incontrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 6, the printers 90 and 92according to FIG. 7 are thus connected in hardware via only the dataline 124. In other embodiments, the operating unit 98 and the controlunit 100 are respectively connected with the data line 124.

A block diagram with control elements of a printing system with twoprinters 126, 128 is shown in FIG. 8. The printers 126 and 128 aredesigned essentially identical. The printer 126 has a control unit 130that serves as a system parameter manager master (SPM master) in theprinting system. The SPM master 130 implements an alignment of theprinter settings of the printing system, i.e. of the printer settings ofthe printer 126 and printer 128. The SPM master 130 contains amanagement information base 132 in which are stored printer settings ascontrol and system variables as well as parameter values. The printer128 comprises a control unit 124 similar to the SPM master 130 of theprinter 126. The control unit 134 likewise contains a managementinformation base 136. The control unit 134 serves as a system parametermanager slave (SPM slave), whereby the SPM master 130 also sets orwrites values into the management information base 136 of the printer128 based on user inputs via a control panel 156. The printer 126contains further control units 138 through 148 that are connected amongone another and with the SPM master 130 over data lines, whereby thecommunication between the SPM master 130 and the control units 138through 148 occurs with the aid of a proxy program module 150 and a traphandler 154. The control units 130, 138 through 148 are realized asprogram modules, preferably as software agents. The transfer of data, inparticular of system variables, between the control units 130, 142through 148 and the management information base 132 preferably occurswith what are known as get, set and trap commands corresponding to theSNMP. The get commands in particular serve for retrieval of data fromthe management information base 132, the set commands serve foralteration of data in the management information base 132 and the trapcommands serve for direct transfer of information via an agent 130, 138through 148. The printer 126 furthermore contains a master agent 154that collects and stores data of the printer 126 for display on acontrol panel 156 of the printing system. The master agent 154 transfersthese data upon request to a control panel server 158 of the printingsystem. The control panel server 158 is preferably fashioned as an RMIserver. The control panel 156 is connected with the control panel server158 as a client. The master agent 154 is connected with the control unit130 via a data interface 160.

The printer 128 has control units 162 through 172 that essentiallycoincide in function and design with the control units 138 through 148of the printer 126. The communication between the SPM slave 134 and thecontrol units 162 through 172 likewise occurs as described in connectionwith the printer 126, via a proxy program module 174 and via a traphandler 176. The printer 128 contains a master agent 178 that isconnected with the control panel server 158. The master agent 154 andthe master agent 178 are furthermore connected with the aid of a dataline, whereby what is known as a trap listener 180 controls the datatransfer between the master agent 154 and the master agent 178. Thecontrol unit 134 and the master agent 178 are connected with one anotherover a data interface 182. Furthermore, data are transferred between thedata interface 160 and the data interface 182 between the printer 126and the printer 128. The SPM control units 130 and 134 are connected viaa first SNMP pipe for transfer of data from the SPM slave 134 to the SPMmaster 130 and via a second SNMP pipe for transfer of data from the SPMmaster 130 to the SPM slave 134.

Via the arrangement and structuring of control units of a first printer126 and of a second printer 128 shown in FIG. 8, it is possible in asimple manner to operate both of these printers 126, 128 via a commoncontrol panel server 158. A common graphical user interface foroperation of the printer 126 and of the printer 128 can thereby besimply provided. Further control panels can also be connected to thecontrol panel server 158. The SPM control units 130 and 134 respectivelyserve as a central interface of the respective printer 126, 128 for thesystem variables and system parameters of the respective subordinatecontrol units 138 through 148 as well as 162 through 172. The exchangeof control variables between controllers 138 through 148 subordinate tothe SPM master 130 also occurs essentially only with the involvement ofthe SPM master 130. A transfer of control variables between the controlunits 162 through 172 in the printer 128 likewise occurs using the SPMslave 124 as a communication node.

Direct accesses of the master agents 154 and 178 to control units 138through 148 or 162 through 172 are not possible in order to achieve acoupling of at least one part of the setting values of the printer 126and of the printer 128 via the SPM master 130. A very simple andefficient operation of the entire printing system, i.e. of the printers126 and 128, can occur via this coupling.

The setting values that concern the parameters of the carrier materialto be printed are at least identical for a print job for both printers126, 128. Via such a coupling, these setting values no longer have to beseparately changed for each printer 126, 128 when parameters for anothercarrier material are used. Rather, only one user interface for bothprinters 126, 128 is output on the control panel for setting theparameters of the carrier material, whereby the input setting values arethen used for the printer 126 and the printer 128. Given other settingvalues such as, for example, given the fixing temperature, dependentparameters or influencing parameters dependent on the settings of theprinter 126 are then changed in the printer 128 corresponding to apreset. If, for example, the fixing temperature is increased in theprinter 126, the print image to be generated by the printer 128 isshrunk. A greater shrinking of the carrier material occurs upon fixingin the printer 126 due to the higher fixing temperature, whereby theprint image generated by the printer 126 also shrinks together with thecarrier material. The print image subsequently generated by the printer128 must then be reduced in size by the amount of the shrinkage of thecarrier material so that the print images of the printer 128 and of theprinter 126 are congruent to one another, i.e. in register.

The control units 144 and 168 are also designated as user interfacecontrollers. A compensation of printer-specific settings of the localprinter 126, 128 is implemented with the aid of the control units 144,168. The control units 142 and 166 are also designated as common datacontrollers. The control units 142, 166 implement a compensation ofnon-printer-specific settings of the respective printer 126, 128 suchas, for example, the settings of the paper width in the control units138, 140 or 162, 164. The control units 140, 164 are designed as adevice controller and the control units 138, 162 are designed as acontroller of the respective printer 126, 128.

A block diagram is shown in FIG. 9 in which is depicted thecommunication with the aid of the Simple Network Management Protocol(SNMP) given a printer controller 208 for activation of control panels200, 202, 204. Control panels 200, 202, 204 are connected with theprinter controller 208 via an external LAN (local area network) 206. Thecontrol panels 202 and 204 communicate with a control panel server 210and a setup server 212 with the aid of an RMI communication based onSNMP. The control panel server 210 has a storage region 214 for storageof control panel data and the setup server has a storage region 216 forstorage of setup data. The control panel 200 is connected with an SNMPmaster agent 218 via the external LAN 206. The control panel 200 hasaccess to an SNMP service program 220 via this SNMP master agent 218.With the aid of the SNMP service program 220, data can be transferredfrom the control panel 210, from the setup server 212 and from thestorage region 214 with control panel data to the control panel 200 aswell as from the control panel 200 to the control panel 210, the setupserver 212 and the storage region 214. Furthermore, the control panel200 is connected via the external LAN 206 and via the master agent 218with a post-processing sub-agent 222, a diagnosis sub-agent 224, a datastream sub-agent 226, a controller sub-agent (that serves forcommunication with a host computer), a workflow control sub-agent 230, aprinter management information base sub-agent 232, with an error table134, with a common data control sub-agent 236 for paper control and witha printer control sub-agent 238.

The access via the SNMP master agent 218 to the SNMP service program 220as well as the access to the sub-agents 224, 226, 228, 230, 236, 238occurs only after an effected authentication of the control panel 200,202, 204 and/or of the user logged on via this control panel withauthentication procedures 240 through 252 associated with this sub-agentor, respectively, programs. Further control units of the printersubordinate to the printer controller 208 are connected with the printercontroller 208 via what is known as an HSCX-BUS 254. One of thesecontrol units is provided with the reference character 256 in FIG. 9.The control unit 256 has a firmware 258, a storage region 260 andfurther sub-modules, of which one is designated with 262.

The data transferred with the aid of the HSCX-BUS system 254 areconverted into an SNMP-compliant data format with the aid of a converter264. Data that are transferred from the printer controller 208 to thecontrol unit 256 are converted from the SNMP format into the HSCXformat. An element 266 arranged between the converter 264 and theprinter controller sub-agent 238 serves for administration of the dataof the printer controller, in particular of the data that aretransferred to the subordinate controllers 256 and the data that aretransferred by the subordinate controllers 256 to the printer controller208.

A data manager 268 is likewise associated with the diagnosis sub-agent224, which data manager 268 administers the data that are supplied to adiagnosis process 270 and the data that are transferred from thediagnosis process 270 to the diagnosis sub-agent after an effecteddiagnosis. A data manager 272 that administers the data that aretransferred from and to a data stream process 274 is associated with thedata stream agent 226. The controller sub-agent 228 is connected with adata manager 276 that transfers the data to what is known as a claimconverter 278 and further to a raster processor 280 that prepares datafor a respective preset printer mode. The prepared data are thentransferred from the raster processor 280 to the converter 264 and thusfurther via the HSCX-BUS 254 to the controller 256. The printing processto generate print images on a carrier material is then controlled withthese data transferred to the controller 256. The controller sub-agent228 in particular processes the print data stream that contains printdata for generation of print images.

Although preferred exemplary embodiments are shown and described indetail in the drawings and in the preceding specification, this shouldbe viewed as purely exemplary and not as limiting the invention. It isnoted that only the preferred exemplary embodiments are shown anddescribed, and all variations and modifications that presently and inthe future lie within the scope of protection of the invention should beprotected.

1-32. (canceled)
 33. A control system for a printing or copying system,comprising: at least one operating unit for input or output of operatinginformation of the printing or copying system; a first control unit andat least one second control unit, the control units controlling at leastone part of the printing or copying system; a data line via which thecontrol units are connected with one another and via which control dataare transferred between the control units with aid of a data transferprotocol; the first control unit providing a server which the operatingunit accesses as a client; and at least one part of the transferablecontrol data being input or output by the operating unit in addition tothe operating information.
 34. A control system according to claim 33wherein the data transfer protocol comprises a Simple Network ManagementProtocol.
 35. A control system according to claim 33 wherein access tothe operating information or the control data occurs with aid of adistributed object model in which objects are contained in units of theprinting or copying system.
 36. A control system according to claim 35wherein the operating unit accesses at least one object of at least onecontrol unit, the object containing data with operating information orcontrol data.
 37. A control system according to claim 33 wherein theoperating information or the control data are processed with the aid ofdata, data structures, files, or events that are object-related.
 38. Acontrol system according to claim 33 wherein the operating unit has atleast one object for input or output of the operating information andthe control data, the data transfer between the operating unit and theat least one control unit occurring with help of the objects.
 39. Acontrol system according to claim 38 wherein the data transfer betweenobjects defined in the programming language Java occurs with aid of astandardized model for abstract description of distributed objects. 40.A control system according to claim 39 wherein the standardized modelfor abstract description of distributed objects occurs according to aCommon Object Request Broker Architecture, and the access to the controldata and operating information occurs with the aid of a Remote MethodInvocation communication.
 41. A control system according to claim 33wherein the control data contain control variables, whereby at leastvalues of these control variables an be input or output with aid of theoperating unit.
 42. A control system according to claim 41 wherein thecontrol data are administered with aid of a management information base.43. A control system according to claim 33 wherein the operatinginformation comprise input or output values for configuration orexecution of print jobs.
 44. A control system according to claim 33wherein the control data concern internal control variables.
 45. Acontrol system according to claim 33 wherein the input or output of theoperating information or of the control data occurs with aid of agraphical user interface of the operating unit.
 46. A method for inputor output of operating information and control data of a printing orcopying system, comprising the steps of: inputting or outputting theoperating information of the printing or copying system with aid of atleast one operating unit; controlling the printing or copying system viaa first control unit and at least one second control unit; transferringcontrol data between the control units via a data line with aid of adata transfer protocol; providing with the control unit a server whichthe operating unit accesses as a client; and inputting or outputting atleast one part of the transferred control data with aid of the operatingunit of the printing or copying system.
 47. A system for administrationand transfer of control data of a printing or copying system,comprising: information of control data stored in a central database ofthe printing or copying system, the information comprising at least ahierarchical organization of an existing structure of control units andfunction units; and a control unit of the printing or copying systemhaving access to the control data with aid of said information.
 48. Asystem according to claim 47 wherein a value of a variable stored in astorage region is output together with a clear text designation storedin said database.
 49. A system according to claim 47 wherein the controlunit comprises a first control unit, and at least one part of thecontrol data is stored in a second control unit of the printing orcopying system.
 50. A system according to claim 49 wherein the firstcontrol unit reads out at least one part of the control data from thesecond control unit or transfers the at least one part of the controldata to the second control unit.
 51. A system according to claim 49wherein the first control unit or the second control unit comprises anoperating unit of the printing or copying system.
 52. A system accordingto claim 49 wherein a distributed object model using a network protocolis provided for transfer of the control data and information between thecontrol units of the database.
 53. A system according to claim 52wherein the transfer occurs with aid of a Remote Method Invocationcommunication using a Simple Network Management Protocol, the databasecontaining a management information base.
 54. A method foradministration and transfer of control data of a printing or copyingsystem, comprising the steps of: storing information about the controldata in a central database of the printing or copying system, theinformation comprising at least a hierarchical organization of existingstructure of control units and function units; and with a control unitof the printing or copying system accessing the control data with aid ofsaid information.
 55. A printing or copying system, comprising: at leastfirst and second printing units; the first printing unit comprising afirst operating unit and a first control unit; the second printing unitcomprising second operating unit and a second control unit; data thatcontain operating information or control data being transferred betweenthe first control unit and the second control unit; the first controlunit comprising a master control unit and the second control unitcomprising a slave control unit; and the master control unit providingdata for the first operating unit and data for the second operatingunit, the control data for the first operating unit and for the secondoperating unit being provided by the master control unit.
 56. A systemaccording to claim 55 wherein the first control unit provides the samedata to the first operating unit and to the second operating unit.
 57. Asystem according to claim 55 wherein both the data transferred betweenthe control units and the data transferred from the first control unitto the second operating unit are transferred over a data line.
 58. Asystem according to claim 55 wherein the first printing unit is arrangedin a first printer or copier and the second printing unit is arranged ina second printer or copier, the first and the second printing unitsrespectively generating at least one print image on a same carriermaterial.
 60. A method for input or output of operating information in aprinting or copying system, comprising the steps of: providing at leastfirst and second printing units; operating the first printing unit withaid of a first operating unit and controlling it with aid of a firstcontrol unit; operating the second printing unit with aid of a secondoperating unit and controlling it with aid of a second control unit;transferring data that contain operating information or control datainput or output via the operating units between the first control unitand the second control unit, the first control unit comprising a mastercontrol unit and the second control unit comprising a slave controlunit; and providing data that are generated by the master control unitfor the first operating unit and for the second operating unit, thecontrol data for the first operating unit and for the second operatingunit being provided by the master control unit.
 61. A printing orcopying system, comprising: at least first and second printing units; anoperating unit for input or output of parameters of the printing orcopying system; given an input of a first value of a first parameter ofthe first printing unit, a second value of the same parameter of thesecond printing unit being automatically changed dependent on the valueof the first parameter; and the first and the second value being coupledsuch that, given a change of the first or second value in a coupledstate, the respective other value is changed by a same amount.
 62. Aprinting or copying system according to claim 61 wherein the input valueof the first parameter is automatically assumed as a value for thesecond parameter.
 63. A printing or copying system according to claim 61wherein the automatic changing of the value of the same parameter can beactivated and deactivated.
 64. A method for control of a printing orcopying system, comprising the steps of: providing first and secondprinting units; inputting or outputting parameters of the printing orcopying system with aid of an operating unit; given an input of a firstvalue of a first parameter of the first printing unit, automaticallychanging a second value of the same parameter of a second printing unitdependent on the value of the first parameter; and coupling the firstand the second values such that, given a change of the first or secondvalues in a coupled state, the respective other value is changed by thesame amount.